Annunciation Catholic Church is a vibrant and historic parish community that dates back to 1869.  For over 140 years, our church has been ministering to the needs of our greater Houston community.  As the mother church of Houston for nearly one and a half centuries, Annunciation Church has spawned over 50 parishes spread throughout the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.  And while facilities and faces have changed over the years, one thing remains the same…our commitment to Christ, to one another, and to the betterment of our community.

Our church today is an active parish comprised of over 360 households. Led by a dedicated pastor and strong corps of lay leaders and volunteers, there is an increasing number of ways that people of all ages can participate in the spiritual, educational, social and service ministries of our church.

Fr. Felix has taken up the work that was begun by his predecessor, Monsignor Golasinski to repair, renew, and revitalize our parish. This entails, among other things, the steps he has taken to repair and improve our facilities:

•    The interior the church has undergone repair of the damage caused by roof leaks and the water damage from hurricane Ike. He has repainted the nave, narthex and foyers ceilings and walls. The crown moldings at the base of the barrel ceiling that was on the verge of falling down on to the pews below have been inspected, repaired, and replaced as needed.

•    The sound system has been replaced.

•    The boiler for heating in the winter has been replaced.

•    The air-conditioning chiller for cooling in the warmer months has been replaced.

•    The pipe organ is currently undergoing a restoration project.

•    The icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help was recently sent out for restoration.

•    We are currently monitoring the foundation after the substantial repair that was conducted several years ago.

•    We are in negotiations with the City of Houston for the acquisition and the closure of Jackson St. so as to accommodate the future plans for a parish Hall facility and a parking garage on the site of our current parking lot.

•    We are in negotiations with the Sisters of the Incarnate Word toward a shared multi-level parking garage to assure that our parking needs will be provided for into the foreseeable future.

While much has been done, there is much more to be accomplished. This is a very important moment for our parish in the midst of so much redevelopment in our part of downtown Houston. It is vital for the future of our parish to seize the moment, meet the challenges, and take advantage of the opportunities that are being presented before us. With that in mind, please find in the following pages our plans for phase 1 of Annunciation’s architectural master plan.